Dutch driver Max Verstappen (R) of Red Bull Racing and Monaco’s Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc (C) take the first corner at the start of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, October 9, 2022.
Toshifumi KITAMURA
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The Japanese Grand Prix was abandoned on Sunday’s third lap amid heavy rain, delaying Max Verstappen’s attempt to clinch his second consecutive world title.
Verstappen was leading Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, followed by Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in third place when a safety car was deployed on the first lap before the race was stopped shortly after.
Runaway championship leader Verstappen can clinch the title if he wins the race with the fastest lap no matter what his rivals do.
He also keeps his crown if he wins and Leclerc is third or lower.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Williams’ Alex Albon retired after a chaotic start in heavy rain and spray.
Sainz crashed on the first lap while Albon retired with mechanical problems.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel spun seconds after the start after pushing Alpine’s Fernando Alonso, but the Aston Martin driver recovered.
AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly, who started the race from the pit lane after picking up a penalty in qualifying, was hit by a piece of advertising panel that had come loose from Sainz’s fall.
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